Wine FAQ: How much does a vineyard cost?

The #wijnvraagbaak section answers your burning wine questions. Have a question? Let me know via email or Instagram. This time it's about purchasing a vineyard.

Have you always dreamed of becoming a winegrower, packing your bags and moving to, say, France? It seems idyllic, but there's a lot involved. First of all, purchasing a plot of land. This can be inexpensive somewhere in the depths of southern France without AOC regulations, but also incredibly expensive if you're eyeing a Grand Cru in Burgundy. The price depends on several factors, such as the prestige of the AOC, the quality and health of the vines, and any stock or extras that come with such a vineyard.

Le Club found out approximately how much you would pay for a plot here and there.

France

Burgundy

Let's get straight to the point: a top-notch piece of Burgundy will cost you €6.77 million. This was the price in 2020 for a hectare of Grand Cru vines in the Côte d'Or, according to Decanter . The premier cru vineyards are a bit friendlier to the wallet, starting at €1.69 million. Could still be quite interesting, because who knows what climate change will still bring .

It most expensive piece of vineyard Domaine du Clos des Lambrays in Morey-Saint-Denis, Burgundy, sold for €101 million, including the estate.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Prefer a place where it's always pleasantly warm? Then Châteauneuf-du-Pape might be just the thing for you. Just be aware of that biting wind, the Mistral. A hectare starts at €450,000. But be warned: the heat can also be detrimental. Alcohol levels are skyrocketing, and wines of 15% are no longer uncommon. Forget Syrah and focus on Mourvèdre and other heat-resistant varieties.

Curious about what goes on at a domain in Chateauneuf? I was given a look inside Domaine de Beaucastel .

Combining the outdoors with a city often called the second Paris? It doesn't sound outlandish at all. Vineyard prices in Bordeaux vary considerably. In Saint-Émilion, you can start at €300,000, while just seven minutes away, in Pomerol, you'll pay at least €2 million per hectare. The reason? Saint-Émilion is almost seven times larger than Pomerol.

On the left bank, of the four Grand Cru Classeé communes, you will find the cheapest option in Saint-Estèphe (550,000 euros) and the most expensive in Pauillac (2.8 million euros).

Without AOC

If you don't need AOC status, you'll pay considerably less per hectare. The average price of a vineyard is then around €15,000. That doesn't mean you have to resort to making a meaningless wine. Just look at Domaine Matassa or the red wines of L'Anglore.

I want to make bubbles

For bubbles, you have to go to Champagne. Of course, but you'll have to dig deep. Champagne, which accounts for only 7% of the total vineyard area, is incredibly expensive. One hectare in the Côte des Blancs costs 1.6 million euros. You'll spend less if you travel to DOCG Valdobbiadene, the best hillside for Prosecco in Veneto. Prices there are lower. from 350,000 euros for a hectare, but then you are in the best part.

Italy

Make your own Barolo – if that doesn't sound like a dream, I don't know what would. Not convinced yet? Then get inspired by this article from Decanter highlighting four beautiful estates in Piedmont. Admittedly, these estates are not located in DOCG Barolo, but just outside it. According to winenews.it a Barolo DOCG vineyard will cost you between 1.2 and 2.5 million euros.

Spain

Raul Perez – perhaps the best winemaker in the world – told us in the podcast that the vineyards are the most expensive in Rías Baixas. I didn't see that coming; I expected Rioja or Priorat. Forbes has a advertisement for half a hectare at 400,000 euros.

In Jerez you are relatively cheaper. I come a offer of 37 hectares, 26 of which are planted, including a building (which I believe could serve as a cellar). It's for sale for €2.25 million. The photos don't look bad, but little else is available about the condition of the vineyard and the associated properties.

America

Prices are likely highest in Napa Valley, California's prestigious wine region. A super-premium vineyard will set you back €1.28 million per hectare.

Oh yeah, inflation

Unfortunately, I have to end this article with bad news. The figures mainly date from 2020 or older. In other words, inflation hasn't yet been factored in, and that is real .

And one more thing. It's hard work on a vineyard. It's not just the fun of picking grapes in September. It's hands-on, year-round. But hey, at least you get to enjoy your own wine every day. And that seems like a lot to me 😉

If you'd like to know what it's like to work in a vineyard, read these blogs: